If my people . . . (2 Chronicles 7:14)

These days, the Word of God is scorned, public prayer diminished, Christianity pushed out of schools, and faith considered old-fashioned and foolish. However, those behind this thinking are often also dismayed at the increase in violence and crime, a growing lack of respect for human life, and the inability of politicians, law enforcement, or anyone else to do anything about it.

Those of us who believe in Jesus Christ sometimes shake our heads also, wondering why the world seems to be falling apart. However, the Scriptures have the answer. It is found in the history of ancient Israel. Nearly 600 years before Christ, the prophet Ezekiel was given these words:

“And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:10–11)

Their world was in similar trouble as ours. They had been told not to abandon their faith in God, but they persisted in going their own way. They faked a form of worship by performing the rituals, but their hearts were far from it and their ‘religion’ mocked God.

Even earlier in their history, the Lord gave them a similar message but with more specific detail about their hypocrisy:

“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?” says the Lord; “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:11–20)

The devotional writer says this is the answer to why our world is coming unglued. We cannot persist in avoiding God, resisting truth, putting aside His Word, ignoring His principles, and doing our own thing without experiencing consequences.

He adds that those who eternally perish will be without excuse. It isn’t because their sins are too awful that they cannot be forgiven. It isn’t God’s idea or desire that they perish. It will not be because of any failure on the part of Jesus Christ or a lack of His willingness. He gladly gives eternal life to all who come to Him in faith. He says to all: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’

But He also says, ‘I have called, and you have refused’ and ‘You will not come to me that you might have life.’

Sin always brings disaster into my life; a hard lesson learned. But I have also learned that relying on Christ is never a mistake. He does not let me down, but gives me surprising peace, blessing, and even wisdom during perplexities. It is entirely obvious that if my situation begins to deteriorate, I cannot shift the blame on anything or anyone else when I’ve caused that deterioration by trying to do my own thing.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” (Proverbs 3:5–10)

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Oh, my Lord Jesus Christ. I know You take care of Your people, but I cannot ignore You, nor can I play at ‘religion’ and be a hypocrite. Instead, Your people must not let the world press us into its mold and assume there will be no consequences. I’m so sad at the junk that fills the daily news. Truly, I need Your grace and wisdom — as do all Your people. Help us be lights in this world. Forgive our backslidings and bring revival to our land.

Mercy and grace: much needed

I’m a pessimist. I’ve tried to change, but still tend toward negativity before seeing the upside of situations. However, it is safe to conclude that God uses negativity; all the OT prophets were black and white pessimists. They saw the danger and evil in their world and preached against it. In the plan of God, this is far more important and truthful than telling sinners “don’t worry, be happy.”

When I read the news, being pessimistic is easy. My news app on Windows 10 allows feeds according to interests. I’ve put in “inspiring news” and even those clips are often bad news. My heart is heavy, yet bad news gives me fodder for prayer.

The state of the church does that too. While many congregations are vibrant and growing in faith, there are others who have tripped along the way, falling into various problems that have distracted them from their purpose. I’m quick to spot this in groups and individuals. My challenge is to pray rather than criticize.

Today’s Scripture describes how this was not unusual in the past. The psalmist saw a need in God’s people and like I’ve learned, he pleads to God for revival:

“Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.” (Psalm 85:1–13)

They started out well. God had forgiven their sin and blessed their lives. However, something happened that angered God about their behavior. While the psalmist does not list their sins, their history includes going their own way without consulting Him and falling into idol worship. For this and all other sin, the psalmist asks for a return to their former relationship with God. It began with His love and mercy toward them, which enabled them to love Him and be merciful to one another. He spoke peace to them and in His love and righteousness, they responded with faithfulness. Unfortunately, they did not stay in this attitude.

The psalmist might have preached to the people, but he knew that “pulling up their socks” does not work. We cannot save ourselves, nor can we revive ourselves when we fall into sin. Salvation is of God. O Lord, show us Your love and grant us your salvation.

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Jesus, I have been praying for revival and You have answered by working on my own heart. I’ve seen sin in me that I never realized was there. This reveals to me that the people I pray for are likely as blind to their own need as I have been. We need You to open our eyes and our hearts so that we see our sins and repent, no matter what they are. I know that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, You are is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old and bring us back to our first love.

Ageless

A common dismissal of the Bible asserts that this is an ancient and therefore irrelevant book, behind the times and totally outdated. Those who say such things point to the culture and era it was written in, and totally miss the enduring and everlasting promises of God. These promises are as needed today as they were then, maybe even more so.

As I watch the news and see so much violence and injustice, my heart cries for righteousness. As I see the hunger and poverty and know that as one person I cannot make a dent in the pattern of starvation and needs of millions, my heart also longs that all who suffer could know the care that God promises.

God is faithful and just toward His people. He was way back when and He is now. He is an eternal God, not just for ancient Israel or for those few whose hearts are set to love and trust Him. 

Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! (Psalm 111:2–9)

His righteousness endures forever. He remembers His covenant forever. The works of His hands and His precepts are established forever. He has commanded His covenant to last forever.

The people of Bible times did not have airplanes, microscopes, skyscrapers or television. They knew nothing about i-pods, smart phones, Internet or laparoscopic surgery. But those who knew and believed and served God did so because He made promises and kept them. Culture, ancient or modern, does not affect who God is.

Further, when His people sinned, He forgave them. Have we outgrown that? Those who trusted Him and obeyed Him had peace in their hearts. They knew they were sinful, but they also knew that they were forgiven, that their God was just and hated sin, but He was also merciful. He told them . . . 

For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6)

Old fashioned? Is sin still an issue? Or have we evolved to be better, kinder, more upright as a human race? Have we outgrown the need for forgiveness and mercy? Has our need for peace been replaced by prosperity and universal well-being?

Those who think that faith, God and the promises He makes are outdated have closed their eyes to far more than the ageless message of mercy and grace; they have also become blind to their need of it, to our need of it. God has not changed, but we still need change. We still need His grace in our lives because without it, we are left with the reality of becoming consumed by our selfishness.

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Lord, I feel the burden of Paul when he lamented that his people were ignorant of Your righteousness. I ache inside when those I love make fun of You and Your goodness.  I want them to see the awesome wonder of Your unchanging and everlasting love for them. So many have made up their minds that You, the eternal One, are no longer are alive or that You have no place in this world or in their lives. Yet Your promises are forever, Your love is everlasting and You are the same yesterday, today and for all eternity. I also flounder and feel helpless to say the words or be sufficient in my witness to the reality of You. I too need Your everlasting grace to make known the everlasting wonder of You and Your love.